SMU students and faculty experienced the magic of Disney in its original 35 mm format during the Friday, January 28 screening of “Pinocchio” in Hughes-Trigg Theatre.

The film is part of the G. William Jones Film and Video Collection and serves two very simple purposes: to educate and entertain. This collection includes more than 9,000 film prints and negatives and more than 3,000 videotapes.

SMU students, faculty and community members gathered Friday to watch "Pinocchio" in its original 35mm format. (PHOTO BY ERIN GOLDSMITH / SMU DAILY MUSTANG)

“As time passes, fewer and fewer people, young people, have had the experience of seeing real film, Amy Turner, head of the G. William Jones film and video archive, said. “They see only video and it does look different. Not everyone will notice it, but it is there and so it’s worth seeing.”

Originally released in 1940, “Pinocchio” was one of the first feature-length animated films and has become a cult classic among viewers of all ages.

“It was one of the most critically acclaimed animated films of all time,” Derek Kompare, SMU cinema television professor said. “It’s one of the really key Disney films for a lot of reasons.”

The film has been lucrative for Disney in many ways, including the now famous “Wish Upon a Star” jingle, which is heard at the beginning of nearly every Disney film.

However, many viewers in attendance, including SMU junior Trey Treviño, were more attracted to the film’s technology rather than its historical significance.

“It’s kind of a nerd thing, like the fact that they’re playing it on 35 mm film instead of just like playing it off a DVD, ” Treviño said. “At the student level, you don’t see that very often.”

The event attracted people of all ages, including many SMU families.

“It was so nice that people brought their families,” Katie Schoen, SMU freshman, said. “Just listening to kids’ reactions is probably one of the best parts…it’s a big part of your childhood so I really enjoyed it.”

Further access to the G. William Jones Film Collection is a goal of the cinema-television department, according to Kompare. A monthly series of screenings will begin next week to utilize the collection more.

“We know it’s a big asset that we have and we’re trying to publicize it a little bit more and do more with that asset,” Kompare said.